Ecie & Esme III: Forever and a Day

Nine

'What did you and Lauren get up to last night?' Taylor asked as he walked through town with Esme.

'We went out for drinks,' Esme replied. 'What did you do last night?'

'We were watching some Spanish movies and went out for dinner,' Taylor replied. 'These people are really cool.'

'That's good,' Esme said looking around. 'Do you want to get an ice cream or something?'

'Sure,' Taylor nodded. 'I'll get them.'

'Be my guest.'

'You seem a little distant,' Taylor said. 'Is there anything on your mind?'

'A few things,' Esme replied. 'I've been thinking about a lot of things lately.'

'Like what?'

Esme looked at Taylor then shook her head.

'No, go on,' Taylor smiled. 'I want to know. What have you been thinking about?'

'Well I've been thinking about your lease ending soon,' Esme replied. 'And about what you'd do...'

'I told you I was going to renew it,' Taylor said. Their waiter put their food down in front of them. 'Muchas gracias.'

'I know you've said that,' Esme said spreading her napkin across her lap.

'So then why are you thinking about it?'

'You are so stupid,' Esme said shaking her head. 'I was right about guys.'

Taylor laughed. 'You really want to go into that now? While we're in a restaurant?' he sat back. 'Fine then, be my guest.'

Esme pulled a face. 'I want you to move in with us,' she said. 'I want you to live in our apartment instead of renewing your lease.'

Taylor stared at Esme as she shook her head.

'There, I've said it now,' she huffed. 'Are you happy?'

'You shouldn't act like it's all my fault,' Taylor said. 'I'm not stupid.'

'Yes you are,' Esme said. 'You are stupid.'

'No I'm not,' Taylor said. 'We can go back and forth at this all day, but I'm not stupid. I remember we talked living arrangements before and you said that you didn't want to live with me. I accepted that and I didn't think the issue would come up again. How am I supposed to know that you've suddenly changed your mind? Do I look like a mind reader?'

'Yes you are,' Esme said. 'You are stupid.'

Taylor looked at Esme. 'Okay then. How am I stupid?'

'You just are,' Esme said. 'I've been dropping major hints for weeks and you haven't picked up on any of them.'

Taylor laughed and waved off her words. 'So that makes me stupid?'

'Yes.'

'No,' he said. 'That makes you a bitch.'

'I'm not a bitch,' Esme argued. 'You're just stupid.'

'No,' Taylor shook his head. 'I'm pretty sure that makes you a bitch. That doesn't make me stupid. You're just a bitchy bitch.'

Esme looked at Taylor. 'Are you done calling me a bitch?'

Taylor looked at Esme. 'Are you done calling me stupid?'

'You're stupid.'

'You're a bitch.'

'Now you're just acting immature,' Esme said.

'We'll have to agree to disagree,' Taylor smiled.

'Fine.'

'Great,' Taylor smiled. 'So what do you say?'

'About what?'

'Do you still want to live with a stupid immature male?'

Esme looked at Taylor's grin and smiled.

'Perfect,' he grinned. 'Now that's sorted, will you apologize for calling me stupid?'

Esme shook her head and started eating.

'This feels like our last night of freedom before E gets back,' Esme laughed as she did her makeup in the mirror with Lauren. 'Although, it does feel weird getting ready without her.'

Lauren laughed. 'I know what you mean.'

Esme laughed.

'How was lunch with Taylor today?'

'Hmmm, let me think,' Esme laughed. 'It was okay. We had a fight but then we made up.'

'Is he moving in?'

'Yeah,' Esme nodded. 'I'm so happy about that.'

'I'm happy for you too,' Lauren said. 'I think it'll be good for you.'

'Thank you,' Esme smiled. 'I think it'll be good for us too.'

Lauren smiled. 'So what's the plan for us tonight?'

'Well it's going to be me, you, Taylor and Verd then a couple guys from the crew,' Esme grinned. 'We're going to go out and have a couple drinks then go dancing.'

Lauren laughed. 'Do you need reminding of what we're like after we've had a bit to drink?'

Esme laughed. 'We're an unstoppable duo.'

'Ha,' Lauren laughed. 'That's one way of putting it.'

They finished in the bathroom and went into their bedroom to start looking at outfits to wear.

'I'm definitely thinking it's a jeans and tank top night,' Lauren replied. 'I don't want to feel sexy tonight.'

Esme laughed. 'Because that's even possible with you.'

'You'd be surprised,' Lauren laughed. 'What are you thinking?'

'The same,' Esme replied. 'But I want to wear some really killer heels tonight.'

'You'll remember not to fall over, won't you?'